Minister hits out at UK’s ‘must haves’

A GOVERNMENT minister has launched a blistering attack on Britain’s “empty”, “destructive” and celebrity-dominated society.

Schools minister Nick Gibb yesterday criticised the consumerist culture which led children to have unrealistic expectations of wealth and riches – and called on youngsters to switch their priorities.

He said: “Young people are growing up in a materialistic world for which they are often not fully prepared. The ‘got- to-have-it-now’ culture means young people have high aspirations for goods, often without the means to pay for them.

“People have unrealistic expectations about the lifestyle they can afford.”

Yesterday’s Commons debate was triggered after more than 100,000 people signed an e-petition calling on schools to teach pupils about personal finance.